Decision details

The committee was asked to approve the county council's Statement of Accounts for 2013/14, as presented by George Graham, deputy county treasurer.

Regulations governing the process and delegated authority from the county council required the chair of the committee to sign off the accounts once they were approved by the committee.

The committee was informed that the Statement of Accounts had been prepared in accordance with the Accounting Code of Practice issued by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).

A number of accounting adjustments agreed with the external auditor and shown in their Audit Findings report at Item 8 of the agenda were reflected within the statement.

It was reported that a member of the public had contacted the Council seeking to inspect the records underpinning the accounts and there was potential for a formal objection to the accounts to be made. This would be dealt with by the external auditor.

The committee was taken through the main components and key issues of the statement.

In response to questions raised by the Members in relation to the senior officers' disclosure note, officers advised that the council had followed Local Government Association guidance in 2012/13 and had notified the relevant senior officers of their inclusion in the disclosure note.  The county treasurer agreed to investigate whether such notifications had been issued for 2013/14 following the meeting and inform all members of the committee accordingly.

The Lancashire County Pension Fund accounts were also included with the accounts as well as a separate item on the agenda.

Resolved:  That the Lancashire County Council Statement of Accounts for 2013/14 be approved and signed by the chair of the committee.